Inter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez was given his marching orders after picking up two bookings in his first start for the club since leaving Manchester United.
Named in the XI for the first time by manager Antonio Conte, Sanchez made the best possible start, doubling Inter Milan's lead against Sampdoria to put them on course for a sixth straight win in Serie A.
But his afternoon turned sour when the Chile international, who had already been cautioned, appeared to go to ground too easily inside the box and the referee reached for a second yellow.
Despite his dismissal, Sanchez has now equalled the number of league goals managed during an 18-month spell at Old Trafford.
Ahead of the game, Conte said: "It is up to us to help him find the form and the brilliance he has lost a little.
"Alexis is a footballer who has certain characteristics. He is a tough player, and sooner or later you will see him on the pitch."
Sanchez had played a part in all the key incidents leading up to his dismissal, initially claiming his first goal when Stefano Sensi's opener took a huge deflection off his back before finding the net.
